PM Modi to flag off Vande Bharat Express to Himachal in big boost to tourism ahead of polls

Shimla: With the model code of conduct set to kick in ahead of the upcoming state assembly elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Himachal Pradesh once again on Thursday with a new development bonanza for the poll-bound state.

He will flag off the semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express train between Una in Himachal Pradesh and New Delhi to boost connectivity and improve travel in the hill state, largely dependent on tourism.

This comes close on the heels of PM Modi launching  the Vande Bharat Express between Gandhinagar and Mumbai.

The launching of the new train holds immense significance for the hill Himachal Pradesh, which has not seen any major expansion of rail and air connectivity, after the Britishers laid Kalka -Shimla and Pathankot-Joginder Nagar narrow gauge railway lines.in

The train will have 16 coaches and will have halts in Ambala, Chandigarh and Anandpur Sahib.

Modi will also bring to Himachal Pradesh on Thursday the state’s biggest ever development bonanza as he lays the foundation stone for  Rs 1,923 cr bulk drug park.

This is amongst only three bulk drug parks proposed for the country to reduce dependence of Active Pharma Ingredients (APIs) on foreign countries, especially China.

Himachal Pradesh is Asia’s largest pharma hub which requires Rs 30,000 to Rs3 5,000 worth APIs and raw materials every year.

The park to come up at Haroli, a sub-division of Una bordering Punjab, will attract investments up to Rs 50,000 and generate 30,000 jobs which will be a real game changer for the state.

As per the guidelines, 90% of the project cost with the maximum limit of Rs 1000 crore will be provided by the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Government of India and the rest will be borne by the state, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.  He sees it as the power of the “double engine” government committed to the state’s development.

Una initially was not in the Prime Minister’s itinerary as he was slated to reach Chamba—one of the country’s 117 aspirational districts selected by the Niti Aayog. But, after the Centre gave the approval to the Bulk Drug park, Modi chose to first arrive at Una to launch new development and infrastructure projects and then fly to Chamba.

“Prime Minister’s other functions also include inauguration of Rs 128 crore Indian Institute of Information  Technology project at Una and launch phase  III of the PMGSY at Chamba. He will also lay the foundation stone for two hydel projects and inaugurate 180 MW Bajoli Holi hydel project” Thakur said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has proposed a rally of AICC general Secretary Priyanka Gandhi at Solan to kick off the party’s poll campaign in the state.